John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and The George Washingtion UniversityWashington, District of ColumbiaUnited States

ACDFA ANNOUNCES

THE NATIONAL COLLEGE DANCE FESTIVAL

ACDFA/DANCE MAGAZINE AWARD RECIPIENTS

The American College Dance Festival Association (ACDFA) announces the recipients of the ACDFA/Dance Magazine Awards for Outstanding Student Choreographer and Outstanding Student Performer. A panel of three dance professionals viewed in performance the 30 dances included in the National College Dance Festival, held May 27-29, 2010 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Panelists selected the two award winners and also noted an additional nine student dancers for their exemplary performances. This year’s panelists were Sali Ann Kriegsman, Karen Hildebrand and Christopher Morgan.

The panelists felt strongly that they would like to recognize the fine work of many individuals at the 2010 ACDFA National Festival. The decision that they came to in awarding the Outstanding Student Choreographer and the Outstanding Student Performer was not taken lightly, and was made difficult by the many fine individual and ensemble performers. Aside from the two recipients, nine performers especially impressed the panelists.

Following is a list of those recognized by the ACDFA/Dance Magazine Awards panel with the panelists’ comments on why these individuals were selected:

ACDFA/DANCE MAGAZINE AWARD

FOR OUTSTANDING STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHER

Megan Kendzior (University of Florida) for her work Witness.

The panelists’ comments:

This is the work we would all like to see again.

The dance took an arc of time to reveal itself.

Avoided being didactic but delivered a strong message

Compelling and unusual musical score

Bold!

Fearful and fearless

The kind of work that transcends one particular performance and performers and can be set on different groups of dancers

Quiet and minimal movement ideas

Extremely judicious choices

ACDFA/DANCE MAGAZINE AWARD

FOR OUTSTANDING STUDENT PERFORMER

Emily Terndrup (University of Utah) for her performance in Where Your Body Lies.

The panelists’ comments:

She had a wonderful facility, but her performance didn’t call attention to it; it was grounded with tremendous fluidity.

A nice focal range from internal to far

She and her partner were equal in the dialogue and did not play to the audience; they drew us into their relationship.

ADDITIONAL STUDENTS RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE WITH PANELISTS’ COMMENTS:

Mr. Acosta had a fluidity of motion that was punctuated by sharp arrests of motion and dynamic shifts of focus and presence. His ability to surrender his weight to the floor and his partner were balanced with quick, energetic recoveries.

Felix Cruz in A Statement About Being (Virginia Commonwealth University):

Mr. Cruz had beautiful mastery of his body, particularly in floor movements that were surprising to the eye and difficult to execute. An amazing series of floor rolls that looked like a film played in rewind are especially memorable and emblematic of his connection to the floor.

Mackenzey Franklin in Closer (Loyola Marymount University):

Ms. Franklin embodied the movement vocabulary of the work from her core, creating ease and effortlessness in what was physically demanding choreography. While part of a quartet, she was able to shine without detracting from the work of her colleagues; instead she enhanced their dancing.

Sarah KonnerandAustin Selden in Dirty Up to the Knuckles (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor):

Both of these dancers possessed a relaxed, natural stage presence that made a direct connection with the audience, allowing spectators into their unique and humorous work. The ease with which they spoke, inhabited character portrayals, danced and sang in this work was remarkable.

Valorie Morales in Vacillation Revisited (Rutgers University):

Ms. Morales knows her body well, how to control her core and manage momentum and suspension with maturity. Her partnering was beautiful, as was her sense of holding onto a moment until the last possible second, as in her beautifully suspended double attitude pirouette in which she allowed her focus to linger over her shoulder before falling into her partner.

Adam Peterson in Millisecond (LINES/Dominican University):

Mr. Peterson possesses an incredibly supple spine, grounded movement and an economy of motion that was eye-catching. His compact frame was able to find length in every movement while moving with incredible speed.

Charles Roy in Closer (Loyola Marymount University):

Mr. Roy had a strong and dynamic stage presence. He deftly integrated breakdance movement within his contemporary movement vocabulary in a seamless fashion that made virtuosic moves look organic.

Nicholas Sciscione in Vacillation Revisited (Rutgers University):

Mr. Sciscione possesses an incredibly sharp focus and clarity of movement, making his presence felt in the beginning of the work. Then when he moved into the principal duet of the work, his excellent partnering skills showed both himself and his partner to great advantage.

SCHOOLS PERFORMING IN THE NATIONAL FESTIVAL

THURSDAY, MAY 27

California State University-Fullerton

LINES/Dominican University

Loyola Marymount

Muhlenberg College

Southeastern Louisiana University

Texas Woman's University

University of Florida

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

[Todd Englander, Slippery Rock University)

FRIDAY, MAY 28

Kennesaw State University

Kenyon College

Minnesota State University, Mankato

New York University/Steinhardt

Saint Mary's College of California

Slippery Rock University

Spelman College

Texas Christian University

University of Utah

Virginia Commonwealth University

Wayne State University

SATURDAY, MAY 29

Auburn University

Cerritos College

Rutgers University

Montclair State University

Roger Williams University

Sam Houston State University

University of Montana

University of South Florida

University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Webster University

FESTIVAL UPDATES(May 20, 2010)

GETTING THERE

ReaganNational Airport (DCA) is close to the city. If you are a small group, it may be economical to take the Metro (Washington’s subway system) from the airport. Take the Blue Line to the Foggy Bottom station (six stops). All Festival activities are in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, DC. Click here for map.

Hotels, GWU and The Kennedy Center are all within walking distance. There is a free shuttle, running from 10:00am-midnight from the Foggy Bottom metro station to the Kennedy Center.

GETTING AROUND

Parkingin Foggy Bottom is difficult and expensive. It’s best to travel through the city on foot or on public transportation. The Foggy Bottom neighborhood is excellently located for seeing the city. The Mall is walking distance (in good weather and with good shoes).

WHO: Sylvia Druker and Rick Westerkamp will be staffing the registration table throughout the Festival. If you need to reach the registration table, call 301-758-4933 (Sylvia’s cell phone).

WHATYOU WILL RECEIVE AT REGISTRATION:

Faculty Representative will receive:

Tickets to all concerts Backstagepasses

Pre-ordered t-shirts

In an attempt to limit unneeded paper consumption, we give one packet for approximately every four people. The intention is to share and limit our impact.Much of the information will be posted on the website.

Therewill be a live feed of the concert in the Terrace Theater Rehearsal Room for dancers staying backstage during the performance. It’s not the same as being in the audience, but at least you won’t completely miss the performances of other schools.

Pre-performancewarm-ups will be offered for the schools that requested it in Rehearsal Room 7 in the Kennedy Center. There is also space in the Terrace Theater Rehearsal Room for those wanting to do their own warm-up and/or to stay warm.

Backstagepasses are required at all times. You will be traveling through backstage and rehearsal areas of the Kennedy Center where staff are working. It's very important for the Festival that all dancers conduct themselves professionally and courteously at all times.

PANEL: THURSDAY, MAY 27—12:00-1:00, BLDG. J.

DanceBeyond the Diploma: Where do you go and what do you do when you get there?

SmallCity? Big Town? The Big Apple the only answer? Where you go after college to pursue your interests in dance, art and living life can seem as deliberate as a game of Pin the Tail on the Dancing Donkey while blindfolded. Hear from some dance artists who have lived and worked in New York and all over the country, as well as hear from both regional and national perspectives of organizations that serve dance artists wherever they live. And as important, meet and greet your fellow-ACDFA attendees from around the country – so when the big day comes to move/roll/bouree on from school, you’ll have a fuller perspective on what your own personal next steps will be.

Dance/USAand Dance/MetroDC are co-sponsoring, along with ACDFA, a student party at 600 Restaurant at the Watergate. Come meet dancers from around the country. Members of Urban Artistry (www.urbanartistry.org/) will dj the party and informally teach urban dance moves. Eat, drink and dance!

FACULTYYOGA

A faculty yoga practice will be led by Dana Lawton of Saint Mary’s College of California. This will be the second annual yoga class Dana has offered to the ACDFA Board of Directors. All faculty are welcome. Bring a mat or a towel from the hotel.

Saturday,May 29—7:45am-8:45am, GWU, Building J

GENERALMEMBERSHIP MEETING

SATURDAY,MAY 29—2:00-3:00pm All are welcome to attend the general membership meeting on Saturday afternoon at One Washington Circle Hotel in the Meridian Room.

Scroll through this page for the following information:

General Information and Updates National Festival Policies Registration Fees and Deadlines Tickets for RegistrantsACDFA/Dance Magazine Awards Schedules Classes Social Gatherings

Forms & Waiver Information

Welcome to the ACDFA National College Dance Festival website. We are thrilled that this year's National Festival gala performances will be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC., with registration, classes and rehearsals at The George Washington University. What better place to bring together dancers from over 30 colleges and universities!

A gala concert will be performed each evening of the Festival in the Terrace Theatre at the Kennedy Center. The three concerts will showcase 31 dances from colleges and universities from around the country. When not scheduled for rehearsals or performing, participants are free to explore the nation's capital during the days. Morning technique classes will be offered. Receptions are scheduled in the evenings, giving participants time to connect with new and old friends.

Navigate through this page for detailed information about the Festival. Use the tabs at the top of this page for Registration Instructions, Technical Information, and Lodging and Travel Information.

Special thanks to the Department of Theatre and Dance at The George Washington University for co-sponsoring the Festival, providing registration and rehearsal space, volunteers and general support.

Please don't hesitate to contact Diane DeFries in the ACDFA national office with any questions or concerns.

SEE YOU IN WASHINGTON, DC!

GENERAL INFORMATION & UPDATES

The National College Dance Festival, sponsored by the American College Dance Festival Association, showcases dances selected by nationally recognized adjudicators at each of the ten regional conferences. Selections are based on outstanding artistic excellence and merit. Since the presentation of the first National Festival in 1981, the primary objective of the Festival has been to highlight, on the national level, the outstanding quality of choreography and performance that is being created on college and university campuses. The National Festival brings together hundreds of students and faculty from approximately 30 colleges and universities from around the country for three days of gala performances. The National Festival is a biennial event.

REGISTRATION FEES AND DEADLINESDEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION: APRIL 14, 2010

Faculty or Student of ACDFA Member School
or Individual Member.......................................................$85.00

Faculty or Student of Non-member School
or Individual Non-member................................................$95.00

Festival Registration includes the following:

1) One ticket to each of the Gala Concerts
2) Comp and discounted ticket for performers
3) Student Party
4) Closing Festival Reception

Payment Instructions are on the right side of this page
and in the online registration forms.

TICKETS FOR REGISTRANTS

Each registrant will receive one ticket for each gala concert.

Performers and registered choreographers may also request one complimentary ticket and one discounted ticket ($15) for the concert in which s/he is performing.

Ticket requests are made when registering. Deadline for ticket requests: APRIL 14, 2010.

DANCE MAGAZINE AWARDS

ACDFA and Dance Magazine support two cash awards: Outstanding Student Choreographer and Outstanding Student Performer at the National Festival.

All student choreographers are eligible for the Award for Outstanding Choreographer.

All performers are eligible for the Award for Outstanding Performer.

A panel of adjudicators will view choreography and performance during the three gala concerts to determine the recipient for each award. See bios of adjudicators below.

Karen Hildebrand is Vice President-Editorial for the dance publications and websites of Dance Media (Dance Magazine, Dance Teacher, Dance Spirit, Pointe and Dance Retailer News) and Editor in Chief of Dance Teacher magazine. She has served as Education Editor for Dance Magazine and Editor of Dance Magazine College Guide. Prior to joining Dance Media, she was active in the Colorado dance community as a dancer, presenter and journalist.

Sali Ann Kriegsman has worked in dance as a writer, critic, editor, funder, artistic and executive director, presenter, producer, teacher and adviser. She served as artistic adviser to the Digital Dance Library planning project, president of the Dance Heritage Coalition (the alliance of major American dance collections), executive director of Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, director of the National Endowment for the Arts Dance Program, dance consultant to the Smithsonian Institution, executive editor at The American Film Institute, and administrator of The American Dance Theater, the first professional modern dance repertory company, co-directed by Jose Limon and Anna Sokolow at Lincoln Center. She has taught and lectured at schools, universities, festivals, museums and community centers across the country and abroad, and advised private and public funding agencies. Her book, Modern Dance in America: The Bennington Years, the first history of that legendary period, was hailed by The New York Times as “a vivid and human picture of a crucial chapter in American culture.” Her articles, criticism and essays have been published in a variety of periodicals and reference sources. She currently serves on the board of Meredith Monk/The House Foundation.

Christopher K. Morganis a choreographer, performer and arts facilitator who divides his time between New York and Washington DC. Said to be "charming and poignant" by The New York Times, his work stems from his belief in the urgency of art in an increasingly isolating, commercial, and digital world. His work has been presented in Chile, Jordan, Israel, The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Ireland, Hong Kong, and throughout the United States. Morgan is Choreographer in Residence and Rehearsal Director for Washington, DC based CityDance Ensemble (www.citydance.net). A skilled facilitator committed to artist development, Morgan also directs The Dance Omi International Dance Collective (www.artomi.org), a unique 3-week process oriented collaborative residency for professional dancer/choreographers that takes place annually in New York at the Omi International Arts Center. Teaching credits include the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, Shawbrook (Ireland), Iwanson Schule (Munich), Stephens College (Missouri), Western Kentucky University, University of Idaho and Towson University. He has lectured for the Alliance of Artist Communities, New York City Ballet’s Education Department, Dance Theater Workshop, and served as a panelist to the National Endowment for the Arts. Performing credits include David Gordon and the Pick-Up Performance Co., The Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, Fabulous Beast Dance Theater (Ireland/UK), Malashock Dance & Co., Verb Ballets, Selfish Shellfish (Germany), Pilobolus Creative Services, and as a soloist with the Washington National, Houston Grand, San Diego and New York City Operas. TV and film credits include a PBS Great Performances with Placido Domingo, and on film dancing with Kate Winslet and Christopher Walken.

SCHEDULES

IF HIGHLIGHTED BELOW, SCHEDULES ARE AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD.
Click here for a full festival schedule overview.Click here for performance schedule for gala concerts.

CLASSESThe focus of the National Festival is on the gala performances. Classes are limited and are geared to providing a solid technique class for performers.

SOCIAL GATHERINGS

A truly special aspect of the National Festival is seeing friends and colleagues from around the country and making new connections. Social gatherings provide a time to do this. All receptions are an easy walk to or from the theater.

Student Party: Meet students from around the country following the opening night gala. The party will be held directly across the street from the Kennedy Center at 600 Restaurant. Come meet other students from around the country and dance with the DJ and dancers from Urban Artistry.

Faculty Dinner: Faculty will gather at Tony & Joe's Seafood Place on the Potomac River. There will be plenty of time to talk, eat and drink before attending the second Gala Concert. There is an additional charge for dinner and a cash bar. Festival registrants may bring a guest. Details are available in the registration pages.
Closing Reception: Following the last Gala Concert, all Festival participants are invited to gather for a dessert reception (and cash bar). Sorry, no guests can be accommodated at this reception.
ONLINE FORM INFORMATION & MAIL-IN WAIVERS

FORMS TO BE SUBMITTED ONLINE (under "Fees and Forms" on the registration pages)

All information does not have to be completed at the time of your initial registration for the conference; you may return to the conference site to add or update information. Please submit all information as soon as possible.

PROGRAM INFORMATION:

PLEASE NOTE: THE PROGRAM INFORMATION FORM WILL BE VISIBLE ONLY TO THE FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE AND ACDFA BOARD MEMBERS. Submit Program Information for the dance you are bringing to the National Festival. Please be thorough in your answers and accurate in your spelling of performers' names.

Deadline for completed program information: April 20, 2010.

TEACHER INTEREST

We need teachers to teach warm-up classes each day of the Festival. Classes should be a solid warm-up for performers. Please complete the online teacher interest form if you have an interest in teaching a class. We may not be able to involve all who are interested, but we appreciate your response and we will be in contact with you as soon as possible regarding selections. Due to budget constraints, honoraria will not be possible.

Deadline for submission of completed form: May 2, 2010.

WAIVERS

Each Festival participant must complete and return a signed Liability Waiver.

Each choreographer or the faculty representative for a guest choreographer of a dance to be performed in a National gala concert must complete and return a signed Video Waiver. Please note that videos are for archival purposes only and copies will not be available.

Waivers may be returned via postal service or brought to Registration.

Tickets for gala concerts
will be available for purchase
through the Kennedy Center box office beginning April 20.

Ticket price for each gala concert:
$25.00

(CSU-Fullerton; Photo: Edwin Lockwood)

If you have already registered:

Once your initial registration is complete, you may re-enter the system as an Existing Registration using your email address and password. You will need to re-enter the system to submit program information, teacher forms, musician forms and to update participant information, arrival times, etc.
Click on REGISTER NOW above to re-enter the online registration system. For detailed instructions about viewing, changing or adding to already submitted information, download How to Update an Existing Registration.